Mop head backer plate

ABSTRACT

A mop head assembly includes a backer plate and one or more rods provided on the backer plate. The rods are provided to maintain the shape of the plate, with a planar cleaning surface geometry, and to further resist warping of the plate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to floor cleaning devices and, more particularly, to a backer plate that can be used in mop head assemblies.

BACKGROUND

Various cleaning implements or tools have been developed over time for cleaning and maintaining floor surfaces, such as mops. Recently, mops have been modified and designed to be used with disposable “wipes”, wherein such wipes are typically pre-impregnated by the manufacturer with one or more of a variety of floor cleaning and treatment compositions. Such floor cleaning and treatment compositions may provide any of a number of benefits such as waxing, polishing, cleaning, disinfecting, and that the like. For example, a consumer may install a disposable wipe on an appropriately designed mop head for use and, when the consumer finishes cleaning (or feels that the disposable wipe is to too old, or that it has ceased to provide its floor treatment benefit), the consumer may remove the disposable wipe from the mop head and the dispose it. Thereafter, a new disposable wipe may be installed and then used to clean or treat a floor surface. However, problems exist with plastic mop heads in that they tend to warp or bend over time, such that they do not have a planar cleaning face thereby inhibiting their effectiveness on a substantially planar floor surface as warped or bent mop heads tend to leave streaks on the floor. Therefore, a need exists for a plastic brush head with improved rigidity that maintains its shape over time and with use.

SUMMARY

The invention provides a mop head assembly, comprising:

a plate made of polymer, said plate having a leading edge, a trailing edge, opposed lateral edges, an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface opposed to the lower surface, a longitudinal axis extending from the first lateral edge to second lateral edge, a transverse axis extending from the leading edge and the trailing edge,

the upper surface defined between the leading edge, the trailing edge, and the opposed lateral edges, the lower surface defined between the leading edge, the trailing edge, and the opposed lateral edges,

a receiving member between the leading edge and the trailing edge on the upper surface configured to receive an end of a handle, and

the lower surface configured to receive a cleaning element; and

at least one reinforcement rod supported by the polymer plate configured to enhance stiffness and inhibiting warping of the polymer plate, the at least one rod extending in a longitudinal direction along the upper surface, the rod having opposed first and second ends, the rod first end proximal to the first lateral edge and the rod second end proximal to the second lateral edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective top view of a mop head assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a hidden lines visible isometric perspective top view of the mop head assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is an isometric perspective bottom view of the mop head assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a hidden lines visible isometric perspective bottom view of the mop head assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows cross-section III-III of FIG. 1 with some elements removed to simplify the figure.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the mop head assembly of FIG. 1 attached to a mop handle.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of portion “A” of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the mop head assembly of FIG. 1 attached to the mop handle.

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged exploded view of portion “A” of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is related to floor cleaning devices and, more particularly, to a backer plate that can be used in mop head assemblies.

The embodiments described herein provide a mop head assembly with plastic (polymer) plate and support rods that help maintain stiffness and the shape of the plate and help inhibit warping of the plate.

Polymers

Typical suitable polymers for the plate are polyolefins, polyamides or acetal polymers. However, other suitable polymers may be employed for the plate, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Typical polyolefins are polyethylene homopolymer or polyethylene copolymer, polypropylene homopolymer or polypropylene copolymer, preferably polypropylene homopolymer, e.g., high density polypropylene homopolymer. As listed in TABLE 1, the polyethylene homopolymers and copolymers typically have an ultimate tensile strength of 3000-5100, psi, preferably 3500-4500 psi, for example 4100 psi as measured by ASTM D638-14, Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics. Ultimate. Tensile strength (UTS), often shortened to tensile strength (TS), ultimate strength, or Ftu within equations, is the maximum stress that a material can withstand while being stretched or pulled before breaking. The polyethylene homopolymers and copolymers typically have a flexural modulus of 135-250 k.s.i., preferably 165-205 k.s.i., for example 185 k.s.i. (185000 pounds per square inch) as measured by ASTM D790-17 Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials. The flexural modulus or bending modulus is an intensive property that is computed as the ratio of stress to strain in flexural deformation, or the tendency for a material to resist bending. In tables of the present specification listing broad and preferred ranges, any range from one column may substitute for a range from another column. For example, the invention could employ a polymer having a broad value range for tensile strength with a preferred range for flexural modulus.

TABLE 1 Typical properties of polyethylene homopolymers and copolymers (ASTM Standards are versions current as of Feb. 1, 2021) Properties ASTM Broad Preferred Typical Tensile Strength @ D638-14 3000-5100 3500-4500 4100 Break (psi) Flexural Modulus D790-17 135-250 165-205 185 (k.s.i.)

As listed in TABLE 2, the polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers typically have an ultimate tensile strength of 4000-7000 psi, preferably 5000-6200, for example 5600 psi as measured by ASTM D638-14. The polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers typically have a flexural modulus of 165-275 k.s.i., preferably 195-250 k.s.i., for example 220 k.s.i.) (220000 pounds per square inch) as measured by ASTM D790-17.

TABLE 2 Typical properties of polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers (ASTM Standards are versions current as of Feb. 1, 2021) Properties ASTM Broad Preferred Typical Tensile Strength @ D638-14 4000-7000 5000-6200 5600 Break (psi) Flexural Modulus D790-17 165-275 195-250 220 (k.s.i.)

The polypropylene may be in the isotactic form of homopolymer polypropylene, although other forms of polypropylene can also be used (e.g., syndiotactic or atactic). Polypropylene impact copolymers (e.g., those wherein a secondary copolymerization step reacting ethylene with the propylene is employed) and random copolymers (also reactor modified and usually containing 1.5-7 wt % ethylene copolymerized with the propylene), however, can also be used. A complete discussion of various polypropylene polymers is contained in Modern Plastics Encyclopedia/89, mid October 1988 Issue, Volume 65, Number 11, pp. 86-92, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Non-limiting examples of polypropylene include low density polypropylene (LDPP), high density polypropylene (HDPP), high melt strength polypropylene (HMS-PP), high impact polypropylene (HIPP), isotactic polypropylene (iPP), syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) and the like, and combinations thereof.

Typical polyamide polymers are aliphatic polyamides, for example nylon, and aromatic polyamides (also known as aramids). As listed in TABLE 3, the polyamide polymers typically have an ultimate tensile strength of 48000-82000 psi, preferably 58000-72000 psi, for example 65000 psi as measured by ASTM D638-14. The polyamide polymers typically have a flexural modulus of 170-290 k.s.i., preferably 205-255 k.s.i., for example 230 k.s.i. (230000 psi) as measured by ASTM D790-17.

TABLE 3 Typical properties of polyamide polymers (ASTM Standards are versions current as of Jan. 1, 2021) Properties ASTM Broad Preferred Typical Tensile Strength @ D638-14 48000-82000 58000-72000 65000 Break (psi) Flexural Modulus D790-17 170-290 205-255 230 (k.s.i.)

Typical acetal polymers are Polyoxymethylene (POM) polymers, also known as acetal, polyacetal, and polyformaldehyde. As with many other synthetic polymers, it is produced by different chemical firms with slightly different formulas and sold variously by such names AS DELRIN, KOCETAL, ULTRAFORM, CELCON, RAMTAL, DURACON, KEPITAL, POLYPENCO, and HOSTAFORM. As listed in TABLE 4, the acetal polymers typically have an ultimate tensile strength of 7800-13000 psi, preferably 9300-11500 psi, for example 10400 psi as measured by ASTM D638-14. The acetal polymers typically have a flexural modulus of 310-530 k.s.i., preferably 375-465 k.s.i., for example 421 k.s.i. (421000 psi) as measured by ASTM D790-17.

TABLE 4 Typical properties of acetal polymers (ASTM Standards are versions current as of Jan. 1, 2021) Properties ASTM Broad Preferred Typical Tensile Strength @ D638-14 7800-13000 9300-11500 10400 Break (psi) Flexural Modulus D790-17 310-530  375-465  421 (k.s.i.)

Thus, the polymer plate is sufficiently rigid, even without the support rods, to be self-supporting. The plates have a thickness “D1” (See FIG. 3) that is typically 0.050-0.5 inches thick, preferably 0.075-0.25 inches thick, more preferably 0.09-0.20 inches thick, for example about 0.1 inches thick.

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective top view of a mop head assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a hidden lines visible isometric perspective top view of the mop head assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate a mop head assembly 100, according to the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the mop head assembly 100 includes a backer plate or plate 102 having a top surface 104 defined between a leading edge 106 a and a trailing edge 106 b, and between a pair of lateral sides 108 a, 108 b. It should be appreciated that the mope head assembly 100 may be utilized such that, in operation, the illustrated leading edge 106 a is the trailing edge and the illustrated trailing edge 106 b is instead the leading edge. A longitudinal axis “L” between the leading edge 106 a and the trailing edge 106 b. The mope head assembly 100 has a transverse axis “T” between the opposed lateral edges 108 a, 108 b. The plate 102 may have various geometries and, in the illustrated example, the plate 102 is rectangular in shape and has a substantially planar lower cleaning surface for continuous contact with the floor to be cleaned.

The plate 102 may be comprised of various plastic (polymer) materials as discussed above.

As further described below, the top surface 104 of the plate 102 is configured to receive (be connected to) a mop handle or other means that a user can manipulate.

FIG. 2 is an isometric perspective bottom view of the mop head assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is an hidden lines visible isometric perspective bottom view of the mop head assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom side 200 of the plate 102 of the mop head assembly 100 of FIG. 1. As further described below, the bottom side 200 of the plate 102 is configured to receive a floor cleaning element (not illustrated). The floor cleaning element may be a microfiber cloth. However, in other examples, the floor cleaning element may be a pad or disposable wipe. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of attachment locations 202 are provide on the bottom side 200. The attachment locations 202 may be configured to attach the floor cleaning element to the bottom side 200. In some examples, the attachment locations 202 are each a field of locking teeth (or hooks from a hook and loop fastener system) operable to attach to the cleaning element pressed thereto. The field of locking teeth may be molded onto the plate 102, or may be mounted thereon. While the bottom side 200 of the plate 102 is illustrated as including a plurality of teeth fields 202, the teeth fields 202 may be differently arranged on the bottom side 200. For example, an entirety of the bottom side 200 may be provided as an attachment location for the cleaning element.

One or more of the attachment locations 202 may also be provided on the top surface 104 of the plate 102. In this manner, the edges of the cleaning element may be wrapped around any or all of the leading edge 106 a, the trailing edge 106 b, and the lateral sides 108 a, 108 b. Returning now to FIG. 1, a pair of the attachment locations 202 are provided proximate to the lateral sides 108 a, 108 b so that the user or operator may fold or wrap sides of the cleaning element around the sides 108 a,108 b of the plate 102 for additional attachment.

As mentioned, the top surface 104 of the plate 102 is configured to be fastened to a handle. In the illustrated example, the mop head assembly 100 includes a pair of supports 110 a,110 b and a mounting bar 112 extending there between. The supports 110 a,110 b are integral with the plate 102 and each include a recess or bore within which an end of the mounting bar 112 is extendible. In some examples, the supports 110 a,110 b are protrusions formed into the bottom side 200 of the plate 102 that extend upward from the top side 104 of the plate 102. As will be appreciated, a handle assembly (not illustrated) is attachable to the mounting bar 112 such that the mop head assembly 100 may be pushed in a direction with the leading or trailing edge 106 a,106 b leading in the direction of travel.

The mop head assembly 100 according to the present disclosure inhibits warping and bending. In addition, the plate 102 of the presently disclosed mop head assembly 100 has improved stiffness/rigidity, and maintains its straight geometry along the leading edge 106 a, the trailing edge 106 b, and the lateral sides 108 a, 108 b. In the illustrated example, a pair of straightening rods (reinforcing rods) 114 a, 114 b are provided. Here, a first straightening rod 114 a is aligned with the leading edge 106 a and a second straightening rod 114 b is aligned with the trailing edge 106 b. In other, non-illustrated examples, one or more additional straightening rods may be provided, for example, aligned along the lateral edges 108 a, 108 b in addition to or in lieu of the pair of straightening rods 114 a, 114 b.

The straightening rods 114 a, 114 b may be comprised of various materials. In some examples, the straightening rods 114 a, 114 b are each comprised of a metallic material, such as an aluminum or steel, for example, carbon steel or stainless steel, or other metal. The carbon steel typically has a tensile strength of 65000 to 125000 psi according to ASTM A370-20, Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products. The stainless steel typically has a tensile strength of 110000-140000 psi according to ASTM A370-20. The galvanized steel typically has a tensile strength of 50700 to 125000 psi according to ASTM A370-20. Likewise rods of other metals would have a tensile strength in the range of 50700 to 140000 psi as measured according to the appropriate standard. For example, for aluminum ASTM B221-20, Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes. The rod which may also be known as a wire) may have a transverse cross-sectional profile which is cylindrical, rectangular, elliptical, profile, or other suitable polygonal shape. Typically the rod has a thickness “D2” (see FIG. 3), or in the case of a cylindrical cross-sectional profile has a diameter “D2”, which is 0.125-0.5 inches thick, preferably 0.15-0.25 inches thick, for example about 0.2 inches thick. Typically the carbon steel wire also conforms to ASTM A510-13 and ASTM A1040.

Various means may be utilized to secure or fasten the straightening rods 114 a, 114 b to the plate 102. In the illustrated example, a plurality of straightening rod supports (snaps) 116 a-c are provided on the top side 104 of the plate 102 for holding and retaining the first straightening rod 114 a in a position proximate to and in alignment with the leading edge 106 a. Similarly, a plurality of snaps 118 a-c are provided on the top side 104 of the plate 102 for holding and retaining the second straightening rod 114 b in a position proximate to and in alignment with the trailing edge 106 b. In other embodiments, alternate means may be utilized to retain the straightening rods 114 a, 114 b to the plate 102, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing, for example, channels formed within the plate 102, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, etc. and various combinations of the same.

Providing the straightening rods 114 a, 114 b on the plastic plate (polymer plate) 102 provides the mop head assembly 100 with beneficial stiffness and straightness and inhibits warping as may be encountered with other plastic plate based mop head assemblies. In this manner, the mop head assembly 100 having a plastic plate 102 and further incorporating the straightening rods 114 a, 114 b may have rigidity characteristics similar to a mop head assembly comprising a metal (e.g., Aluminum) plate. Utilizing the straightening rods 114 a, 114 b improves stiffness characteristics and makes the design more robust in that it helps to retain the shape (i.e., rectangular shape) with straight edges (i.e., “straightness”) such that it is less likely to bend or warp over time and/or with use.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the mop head assembly 100 of FIG. 1 attached to a mop handle 300.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of portion “A” of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the mop head assembly 100 of FIG. 1 attached to the mop handle 300.

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged exploded view of portion “A” of FIG. 6.

Therefore, the disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the teachings of the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The systems and methods illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount.

Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are defined herein relative to a user or operator of a mop or cleaning implement, or relative to another stated element. The term “proximal” refers to the position of an element closer to the user or operator, or relative to another stated element. The term “distal” refers to the position of an element further away from the user or operator, or relative to another stated element.

Moreover, the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mop head assembly, comprising: a plate made of polymer, said plate having a leading edge, a trailing edge, opposed lateral edges, an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface opposed to the lower surface, a longitudinal axis extending from the first lateral edge to second lateral edge, a transverse axis extending from the leading edge and the trailing edge, the upper surface defined between the leading edge, the trailing edge, and the opposed lateral edges, the lower surface defined between the leading edge, the trailing edge, and the opposed lateral edges, a receiving member between the leading edge and the trailing edge on the upper surface configured to receive an end of a handle, and the lower surface configured to receive a cleaning element; and at least one reinforcement rod supported by the polymer plate configured to enhance stiffness and inhibiting warping of the polymer plate, the at least one rod extending in a longitudinal direction along the upper surface, the rod having opposed first and second ends, the rod first end proximal to the first lateral edge and the rod second end proximal to the second lateral edge.
 2. The mop head assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one said reinforcement rod is positioned proximate to and in alignment with the leading edge.
 3. The mop head assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one said reinforcement rod is positioned proximate to and in alignment with the trailing edge.
 4. The mop head assembly of claim 3, wherein at least another said reinforcement rod support is provided on the upper surface and positioned proximate to and in alignment with the leading edge.
 5. The mop head assembly of claim 1, wherein a first said reinforcement rod is positioned proximate to and in alignment with the leading edge and a second said reinforcement rod is positioned proximate to and in alignment with the trailing edge.
 6. The mop head assembly of claim 5, further comprising a first set of reinforcement rod supports provided on the upper surface for supporting and securing the first rod, and further comprising a second set of reinforcement rod supports provided on the upper surface for supporting and securing the second rod.
 7. The mop head assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of teeth fields on the lower surface for attachment with the cleaning element.
 8. The mop head assembly of claim 7, further comprising at least one additional teeth field on the upper surface for attachment with the cleaning element
 9. The mop head assembly of claim 8, wherein the additional teeth field on the upper surface comprise a pair of additional teeth fields provided proximate to a pair of lateral side edges of the polymer plate.
 10. The mop head assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcement rod is formed of metal.
 11. The mop head assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcement rod is formed of steel.
 12. The mop head assembly of claim 1, wherein the cleaning element is a microfiber cloth.
 13. The mop head assembly of claim 1, wherein the receiving member between the leading edge and the trailing edge on the upper surface configured to receive an end of a handle comprises first and second receiving member supports extending from the upper surface, the first support spaced from the second support, and a receiving rod having first and second opposed ends, the receiving rod extending from the first receiving member support to the second receiving member support, the receiving rod first and second ends attached respectively to the first and second receiving member supports.
 14. The mop head assembly of claim 13, wherein the receiving rod extends in a longitudinal direction, the receiving rod first end proximal to the first lateral edge and the receiving rod second end proximal to the second lateral edge. 